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Saudi Arabia Labor force, total 2026: Interactive Chart & Historical Data

Labor force, total in Saudi Arabia stood at 18.38 million persons in 2025, according to World Bank. The latest value is up 4.8% from 17.53 million persons in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 13.35 million persons (up 38% since). The latest value is the highest since 1990; the lowest was 3.115 million persons in 1990. Saudi Arabia ranked 36th highest of the 182 countries in this dataset in 2025; China ranked first.

Data source: World Bank · Unit: persons · Category: Labor and Employment · Explore more indicators on EconDash

Data updated:Last checked:Frequency:AnnualCoverage:1990–2025
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What is Labor force, total?

Labor force, total, measured in persons, reflects labor market conditions in Saudi Arabia, indicating the balance between available workers and job openings. It serves as a crucial signal of economic health, consumer spending capacity, and social stability. Labor market data typically includes multiple dimensions: unemployment rates, employment-to-population ratios, labor force participation, and wage growth. Each metric captures different aspects of job market dynamics — for example, the unemployment rate counts only those actively seeking work, while the participation rate reveals how many working-age people are engaged in the labor market. In Saudi Arabia, labor statistics are gathered through household surveys, employer reports, and administrative records like unemployment benefit claims. Changes in Labor force, total often precede broader economic shifts: rising unemployment typically signals slowing economic activity, while tightening labor markets may foreshadow wage pressures and inflation.

Key facts

What is the latest Labor force, total in Saudi Arabia?

Labor force, total in Saudi Arabia stood at 18.38 million persons in 2025, according to World Bank.

Is Labor force, total in Saudi Arabia rising or falling?

The latest value is up 4.8% from 17.53 million persons in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 13.35 million persons (up 38% since).

How does Saudi Arabia rank for Labor force, total?

Saudi Arabia ranked 36th highest of the 182 countries in this dataset in 2025; China ranked first.

What is the highest Labor force, total on record in Saudi Arabia?

The latest value is the highest since 1990; the lowest was 3.115 million persons in 1990.

Metadata for Labor force, total in Saudi Arabia
IndicatorLabor force, total
CountrySaudi Arabia
CategoryLabor and Employment
Unitpersons
SourceWorld Bank
Interactive chartView on EconDash
API accessEconDash API documentation

Current rate: 18.38 million persons (2025)

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Cite this chart
APA

World Bank. (2026). Labor force, total — Saudi Arabia [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/labor-force-total/SAU. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.IN

MLA

World Bank. "Labor force, total — Saudi Arabia." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/labor-force-total/SAU. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.IN.

Chicago

World Bank. 2026. "Labor force, total — Saudi Arabia." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/labor-force-total/SAU. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.IN.

BibTeX
@misc{econdash_labor_force_total_sau,
  author = {{World Bank}},
  title = {{Labor force, total --- Saudi Arabia}},
  howpublished = {EconDash},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://econdash.org/chart/labor-force-total/SAU},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.IN}
}